SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan Pakatan Harapan government is still in favour of holding the state election next year, says state chief Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

He, however, added that the state government will abide by whatever decision made by its presidential council.

The Mentri Besar said that although the Pakatan machinery is ready, it feels that it is improper to hold the state polls this year due to the inclement weather forecast and floods.

"In my recent audience with the state ruler (Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir), I had briefed him that we plan to hold the state polls next year.

"The ruler said as long as the state government had the mandate, this was entirely up to us but Tuanku reminded me that our priority is to look into the well-being of the people, what more with the oncoming monsoon season," he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri on Wednesday (Oct 12)

Aminuddin said he was aware that some in the state Pakatan were in favour of holding the parliamentary and state elections simultaneously but they were entitled to their opinion.

The state leaders had claimed that having separate polls would be disadvantageous to Pakatan.

On Oct 5, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Pakatan-led states Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan will not be holding their state polls concurrently with the 15th General Election (GE15) if it happens soon.

The coalition chairman said it was decided that the states will not be dissolving its state assemblies in view of the year-end floods following discussions between Pakatan’s presidential council and the mentris besar and chief ministers of the three states.

However, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke last night (Oct 11) said the Pakatan presidential council will decide Wednesday whether or not there would be a change in the decision with the Penang government asking to hold the state election simultaneously.